Don Alejo Garza Tamez made headlines when he died heroically after a shootout with an organized crime group that demanded he hand over his property.
November 13th marked 15 years since the assassination of Don Alejo Garza Tamez, the man who faced the drug cartels alone… until his death.
In the early morning of November 14, 2010, on a secluded ranch in Tamaulipas, an unequal battle was fought that will forever be etched in Mexican history.
Don Alejo Garza Tamez, 77, a lumber businessman from Nuevo León and a passionate hunter, decided not to surrender what he loved most: his home. And he defended it until his last breath.
THE THREAT
On November 13th, armed men arrived at Rancho San José, on the outskirts of Ciudad Victoria. They gave him an ultimatum:
“24 hours to hand over the property… or face the consequences.”
Don Alejo didn’t flee.
He didn’t negotiate.
He didn’t beg.
He dismissed his workers and prepared to fight.
He knew he was alone. And yet he chose to resist.
PREPARED FOR DEFENSE
That night was his final strategy.
He deployed his arsenal, reinforced doors, placed magazines, and chose his positions.
At 77 years old, he planned a surgical defense, knowing he was completely outmatched.
THE CONFRONTATION
At dawn on the 14th, several vehicles arrived at the ranch. The hitmen, confident they would take the property without resistance, approached…
But Don Alejo met them with fire.
Precise. Cold. Unstoppable.
He took down four hitmen and wounded two others.
He moved inside the house like an expert: changing windows, vantage points, angles.
His experience as a hunter became his shield.
The criminals, bewildered, returned fire, but Don Alejo remained steadfast.
Until more cartel reinforcements arrived… and the battle became impossible.
He fell under enemy fire.
He died alone, but he never surrendered.
THE SCENE
Hours later, the Army entered the ranch.
What they found left them stunned: Dead gunmen, others wounded…
And Don Alejo, lifeless, still with his rifle in his hand.
He didn’t survive.
But he didn’t die alone.
Today, Don Alejo Garza Tamez is a symbol of resistance, honor, and dignity.
His story inspired corridos, documentaries, and films… but above all, it left a lesson that continues to both hurt and inspire admiration:
“They can take my life, but they won’t take my home.”
—Rest in Peace, Don Alejo Garza Tamez
